AN advert for a loans company featuring Carol Vorderman has been banned for misleading viewers.

Yesterday it was revealed how a scene in a recent documentary featuring the Prestatyn-born star was faked without her knowledge. And last night, it emerged a TV advert featuring her had been rapped.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered the advert not to be shown again in its current format.

The advert, for Firstplus Homeowner Loans, showed a family of four going about their daily lives. It concentrates on “To Do” notes, particularly involving bills. Carol then says: “A Firstplus Homeowner Loan can help you get your finances back on track by rearranging your existing credit into one low monthly payment.”

Text at the bottom of the screen at one point read “Home owners only”, and at another: “Firstplus loans are not available for investment or business purposes. Subject to status.”

A viewer complained to the ASA saying he was refused a loan because he owned his property outright. The loan was available only to homeowners with a mortgage – but the advert did not make this clear.

The loan company said it was the first time in 10 years it had received such a complaint. An ASA spokesman said: “Without qualification, the name of the product Homeowner Loan could confuse people into believing they were eligible for the product if they owned their home outright. We concluded the ad was misleading.”